*~Time Skip~*

Miki's Pov

I searched throughout the house in desperation to find Akira.

"Ugh!" I groaned in frustration, as I ran a hand through my dyed-green hair. "Where the hell could she be?! I've checked everywhere! The courts, kitchen, gym, bedroom, bathroom. The only place I haven't checked is the pool….RWAARRR! WHY MUST I BE SO STUPID SOMETIMES?!" I yelled to no one but air, now remembering that Akira's favorite way to blow off steam was to swim until she couldn't move.

Now knowing Akira's location, I soon started sprinting to the other side of the house where the pool was located.

"Stupid… Akira… making… me… run… after… her…," I wheezed between gulps of breath as I unlocked and pushed open the door to the pool.

As I leaned against the wall, resting, I watched in awe as Akira swam her heart out. Her movement were smooth from years of practice and it was simply beautiful, at least in my eyes it was. Of course, my feelings were reciprocated. Akira loved watching me play basketball just as much as I loved watching her swim, although she said, and I quote, "It's kind of gross how you end up all sweaty. At least with swimming you're wet for a reason and don't have to deal with the constant sweat dripping down your body since you're already in the water."

Well, excuse me, for always playing my hardest.

"Ne, ne, Akira that was rude of you to run out like that. Even ruder than usual..." I exclaimed only mumbling the last part to myself.

I was wondering if she heard me at all since she didn't respond or resurface any time soon.

All of a sudden there was a splash and I heard a gasp as Akira finally resurfaced, gasping for air.

"Well, the Princess lives. What a pity," I say sarcastically as Akira glares at me, pulling herself up to sit at the edge of the pool as she tosses her goggles at me. "Ow! What was that for?! I don't hit you with basketballs!"

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be watching the group of harlots? They better not know I'm swimming."

I inwardly sighed, trying to figure out what harlot meant. Leave it to Akira to leave me clueless with her vocabulary.

"Don't worry, they don't. I made sure to lock the door! But anyway, Akira, it's not good for you to do that. I could seriously end up affecting your health one day. I'm really-"

"What I do is none of your business, even if you are my best friend," She snapped, before immediately looking regretful. I hadn't taken what Akira said to heart, though. She had a hard time keeping her emotions in check - I was surprised she had kept her hatred a secret for so long! - so it's only inevitable for her to have these kinds of moments and I was used to it by now. "Sorry, Miki. I mean it though. You have no need to worry - I'll be fine. I can take care of myself by now, at the very least."

I sighed and ran a finger through my hair.

"I can worry, can't I?"

"If you wanna waste your time, be my guest."

She shook her head, sending water flying, before going over to where the diving board was, diving back in the pool, going back to swimming. She completely ignored me except for when she temporarily came up in front of me and said, "I'm going back to practice. Would you mind locking the door behind you and making sure they don't come in here?"

I sighed again and muttered a resigned, "Sure," leaving Akira to her hobby and passion. "I swear, she's half fish… What if one day she did become a fish…? That'd be funny."